Extending the Border Fence

The Federal government is sponsoring a $4.3 million project to extend the border fence between California and Mexico 300 feet into the Pacific Ocean. Is this a wise use of funds? What are the trade-offs and opportunity costs?

Making Online Retailers Pay Taxes

As you know, the state of California is facing some serious fiscal challenges in its budget. One item the state government decided to go after was online retailers such as Amazon. Why? Those companies have not been paying state sales taxes for purchases made online. Some predictions put the amount of uncollected taxes on e-commerce around this country at $12 billion! Many states are pushing e-commerce companies to pony up. Other states are opting not to do much about it.

Would you support a federal law on e-commerce companies? Do you believe that e-commerce companies should pay sales taxes at all? You do understand who will probably pay higher prices as a result of states enforcing these tax rules, right?

Presidential Debates

The Republican party is holding a series of presidential debates in advance of the Republican primary elections that are coming up in early 2012. The winner of the Republican primary will square off against Barack Obama in the general election later in 2012.

It seems, however, that the Republican field is suffering a bunch of self-inflicted wounds. Rick Perry can't seem to remember which agencies he wants to cut. Mitt Romney, who is Mormon, has to deal with the fact that when he was governor of Massachusetts he implemented a health care law that looks suspiciously like the one Obama pushed through Congress. Also, will his religion be an issue with voters? Another candidate, Herman Cain, has been accused of sexual harassment by a number of women that he used to work with.

All of this begs the questions: should any of these issues matter for individuals running for president? And, what qualities matter for someone interested in running for president?

School Unification

There is a citizen group in Galt that is pushing to have the Galt elementary district and the Galt high school district to unify into one district. Would this be a good idea? If unification did NOT save money, would you still think it was a good idea?

The citizen group is prepared to collect signatures to put this issue on the local ballot. Would you sign the petition? Would you vote for unification when/if it is on a future ballot?